Thursday, 31 December 2015

Let's take a trip down memory lane. The
curlers are in, the HP sauce, thickly buttered bread and a steaming mug of tea
form the centre piece of a lovingly furnished dining table. Stan Ogden sits in
wait until the fry-up eventually arrives accompanied by the chirping sounds of
wife Hilda, mid-anecdote. She flutters about putting the world to rights whilst
he pretends to listen, nodding every now and then to show he's paying
attention. In what could be described as a typical working class marriage of
that era, the Corrie husband served a purpose however useless he was and Stan
was the epitome of that.

"Pull my finger"

Following in Stan's footsteps, Jack
Duckworth also personified the bone idol, but loveable Corrie male. The
fondness for a pint or three at the Rovers, an eye for the ladies and an
apparent allergy to a hard day's work meant that wife Vera was the ultimate
long-suffering spouse, a situation which often led to a vicious cycle of
misbehaviour, a rollocking from the missus, followed by a few pints to
alleviate the stress caused by the rollocking from the missus, followed again
by another rollocking from the missus for coming home blind drunk. It was
glorious to watch and one wouldn't be the same without the other.

Also from the school of bone idol - Les
Battersby. Although perhaps jail of bone idol is more accurate. The Battersbys
were cartoon-like in how stereotypically common they were. With the family
causing trouble right from the start, hapless Les was often at the centre of
their problems. When put with Cilla that familiar Corrie theme of male failure,
female disappointment and all the corresponding sound effects (screaming,
shouting, insults etc) fall into place.

"I asked for two halves but they only had one glass"

Coronation Street is and probably
always will be dominated by the female of the species, but without the lazy,
good-for-nothing, bone idol slobs who test their wives to the limit, the Street
would not be the same. A more modern example of the flamin' usless
is Kirk. Debateably a few cobbles short of a full street, Kirk is a more
modern take on the sloth-like Corrie male. Not so much letting the women do all
the cooking, cleaning and going out to work, but not entirely reliable in an
emergency. He respects his better half though and

isn't afraid to show that
respect, something the more old fashioned Corrie men weren't so comfortable
with.

In what seems to be a bit of a
transitional period for Coronation Street, the type of man described above,
that has always been a staple of the show and that have helped make the strong women
so prominent, seems to be dying out. New castings have meant that the Street is
fully stocked up with new families such as the Connors and lots of new and
younger male faces to see Corrie into the future, but will it be the same
without the Jack Duckworths, the Stan Ogdens and even the Kirk Sutherland's of
this world? If a couple of the most recent long term arrivals are anything to
go by, probably not.

Take Andy. Entering on a great
storyline of deceit, blackmail and heartbreak - literally in Michael's case -
the character had promise. They dragged the initial storyline out a little bit
too long but that gave us more time to get used to Andy (or Gavin as he
temporarily was), but now he just seems to hover around the periphery of the
show, contributing very little. He does indeed seem useless, but not in the
comedic, scripted way we like, he's just a bit wet.

Another floater is Robert. The scenes
this week with Simon in the Barlow's yard were touching, and gave us a little
insight into Robert's own past, but again he seems weak and a little bit
pointless. Perhaps when turbulent Tracy finally sends him over the edge we
might see a bit of oomph from the sexy chef.

"It's like talking to a brick wall"

All is not lost however. Tyrone and Fiz
have the potential to follow in the footsteps of Jack and Vera. Still quite
young, they are already veterans of Coronation Street and the writers have the
potential to make them true soap legends. Just imagine Tyrone is his 50s,
complete with string vest and pigeons . And THANK GOD for Tim. And Sally for
that matter. Their pairing is genius and the new comedy element to Sally's
character is just perfect. Tim has quickly become a Corrie favourite and
certainly shows elements of that classic, henpecked Corrie bloke.

Will your character be having a merry Christmas this year?
Maybe, maybe not. She’s going to try, certainly. It’s her first Christmas in Weatherfield, so it’ll certainly be different for her. Kate won’t be with her fiance, Caz, so she might feel a bit down about that.

Make a NY resolution for your character…
To stop procrastinating! And get on with it.
What’s your favourite Christmas board game?
It’s got to be charades, or chararrrrdes, however you prefer to say it!

What’s your Christmas tipple?
A port! With cheese, always! Only on Christmas Day though, we’ll do cocktails the rest of the time!

Turkey or otherwise?
Otherwise! I quite like a nut roast. I’m not vegetarian but I prefer the vegetarian route, then I feel as though I’m doing something that’s kind and healthier.

Where’s your favourite place to spend Christmas?
At home, up north with the family.

Best Christmas tip?
Be prepared! Always be prepared and do everything early. Then you can just enjoy it, Christmas won’t be a stress if you get everything done!

Any Christmas disasters?
We had a mini fire one year! We left a candle burning on top of the TV and went out for a Christmas drink. When we came back the whole lounge was just black with smoke - the TV had started to set itself on fire but we got home just in time!

Favourite Christmas memory…
Playing Princess Jasmine in my first ever Christmas Panto and all of my family got on a coach to come down to Guilford from Manchester to see me in it. That was special.

Christmas Day...cheese or chocolate?
Cheese! With port!

Sprouts...devil or delicious?
Delicious. I cook them with a bit of bacon and maybe with a bit of coconut oil this year? That would make them really creamy.

Christmas Day...PJs or fancypants?
Fancy pants, we get really dressed up. My boyfriend’s family tend to do PJs, so this year we’re going to have to meet in the middle somewhere. Whether we wear half and half, I don’t know!

If you could spend Christmas Day in any other country where would you spend it?
New York. I’ve been at that time of year before but haven’t spent Christmas there and I just think it’s something else, it’s so magical, and everything’s bigger and better.

Favourite Christmas film?
It’s between Home Alone and Elf. I like Home Alone because it’s my childhood favourite but Elf is my absolute favourite! I love all the voices, they are so fun.

Favourite Christmas song or carol?
I like Rudolf the Rednose Reindeer, but the one with the funny after comments “He had a very shiny nose (like a lightbulb)” etc etc.

Describe your perfect Christmas…
There’d be snow, all the family together, a big burning log fire and everybody really happy! No arguments, no dramas, just serene, cool calm and collected!

Favourite Corrie Christmas...yours, your characters, or a scene off screen!
Well my character Kate hasn’t had a Corrie Christmas yet - so it’s exciting that this is her first. I’m looking forward to seeing it and hope for more to come!

What would you like to find in your Christmas stocking?
A surprise! I’ve told everyone what I would like, so a nice surprise would be cool.

You have one spot left at the dinner table..Who would you give it to, anyone past or present?
Will Ferrell, but as Elf. How fun would that be! He would be so full of merry cheer.

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

Without further ado here is a brief sneak preview of what you'll see on next week's Corrie in Canada.

Christmas comes to Coronation Street.
But first, Rob chats to Robert. David does a good deed. Sinead and Chesney return from Portugal.
There are two proposals on Christmas Day, will the answer to both be Yes? Kate gets a surprise. Kylie makes a grand gesture. Tim and Sally's Christmas gets a bit crowded.

After the big day, Johnny gets definitive news and reveals the truth. The table tennis tourney is on. Tracy makes a decision.

Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Gemma and Michael's podcast for the episodes in Canada that aired (up to last night's Canadian Corrie) can be heard here.

This week, Michael and Gemma talk about Rob Donovan's return, as he reels in Tracy and tells Johnny a long kept secret. Ken and Nessa take their relationship to the next level. Kylie finds out that Sarah's pregnant.

After Street Talk, the Conversation Street Awards 2015 nominees are announced. Voting is open now at this link,
with the Award Show itself planned to take place in about three weeks'
time.

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

This post has been prompted by commenters' curiousity about our very own Ken's fling with our very own Rita sparked by this post.

While soaps these days have the habit of reuniting old flames, this fling has largely been forgotten. Indeed, when I mused about which direction Ken would go to after Deirdre's death, I did think of the possibility of him re-visting his fling with Rita and maybe striking up a companionship. But, writers and producers created a connection with him and Audrey (that was evident even before Anne Kirkbride's death). A missed opportunity possibly?

When Rita was re-introduced in 1972, it was as Mrs Bates, the 'mother' of Terry and Gail (not the same Gail!) and the common-law wife of Harry. The first resident she came to contact with was Ken as he was the children's teacher and deputy head at Bessie Street. Despite striking up a friendship with Rita, nothing came of it and Rita later moved on to Len Fairclough.

1973 was a busy year for Ken women-wise. He was searching for a mother for twins Peter and Susan. While being chased by smitten shop assistant Norma Ford, Ken fell for Elaine Perkins (played by Joanna Lumley). Ken proposed marriage but Elaine rebuffed saying that they were ill-suited. On the rebound, he took up with Norma.

But bored by Norma, he stood her up and shared a drink with Rita who was on the rebound from Len. Rita cooked him a meal and they spent the night together! Ooh-er!

When Norma found out, she accused him of using her and being selfish. While keen on Rita, Ken was guilt-tripped by Uncle Albert to visit the twins in Scotland. He told Albert to apologise to Rita on his behalf. Albert didn't.

Rita didn't bear a grudge and was still keen on Ken but was put out when she saw him entertaining Janet Reid (who nearly ruined Alan and Elsie Howard's marriage) in the Rovers. Norma couldn't help but smirk when Rita flounced out the door.

Rita got over Ken when Len returned from a holiday in France. And while Len was not happy when he heard of Ken and Rita's night of passion, he let bygones be bygones. He even invited Ken and Janet to have dinner with him and Rita!

Ken married Janet within a few weeks but the marriage collapsed in 1974 and Janet died in 1977. Rita would have an on/off romance with Len before marrying him in 1977.

Since then, Ken and Rita have maintained a strong friendship and they've confided in each other many times during their various woes. It was Rita who brought Ken out of himself when he found Janet dead in bed from an overdose. It would have been completely natural now for them to be companions to each other - go to places together but maintain an independent life as well. Rita would have an interesting dynamic with Tracy and would have grandchildren to spoil.

Who knows what would've happened if the writers had decided that Rita would be the second Mrs Barlow in 1973? Corrie's history would have altered a little I should think!

Ken and Rita could easily have been celebrating their ruby wedding a few years ago!

by Llifon

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

Will your character be having a merry Christmas this year?
She will start out by having a Christmas that is very dull but it turns out to be very merry, when an unexpected invitation to Sally and Tim’s house leads to a close encounter with Kevin Webster!

Make a NY resolution for your character…
To have better choice in men!

What’s your favourite Christmas board game?
Scrabble - we love playing it as a family, and we love a game of Who’s in the Bag.

What’s your Christmas tipple?
I’d like to be posh and say Champagne but actually I love Prosecco. I also love a good old Vodka and tonic too.

Turkey or otherwise?
This year it is going to be Turkey and a lovely honey glazed ham!

Where’s your favourite place to spend Christmas?
I love being at home - for me there is no better place.

Best Christmas tip?
Just relax and enjoy it, don’t get stressed, it is just another day.

Favourite Christmas memory…
Mine is the first Christmas that our eldest Tom knew what Christmas was all about and he got a wooden rocking horse. I have the photograph from that day but I can remember taking it, I can remember the moment. I remember his little face as he turned round and looked at us.

If you could spend Christmas Day in any other country where would you spend it?
I would love to go to New York and do the whole magical New York Christmas, ice skating in Central Park.

Favourite Christmas film?
It’s a Wonderful Life, ever since I was tiny.

Favourite Christmas song or carol?
White Christmas.

Describe your perfect Christmas…
Everyone round at ours, family all the way.

Favourite Corrie Christmas...yours, your characters, or a scene off screen!
It was the year that the Windasses ended up at the Platts house for Christmas dinner and had a food fight with vol-au-vents! We caused mayhem.

What would you like to find in your Christmas stocking?
A massive great big huge dirty diamond!

You have one spot left at the dinner table..Who would you give it to, anyone past or present?
My dad!

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

Coronation Street creator Tony Warren received an award at the Salford International Media Festival last night. Tony was announced as the winner of the Nations and Regions Media
Conference Achievement Award at this year’s Salford International Media
Festival.

Judges of the award say Coronation Street helped establish Manchester
and Salford’s place in British culture and played a big part in the
success of Granada Television, now ITV Granada.

Warren, now 79, created Coronation Street 55 years ago. After clips of its early years were shown, he joked that he had been "haunted by those characters" for 50 years.

After being presented with the conference's inaugural achievement award trophy, he said the character that haunts him the most is Ena Sharples.

"I'm left wondering just what Ena would have made of this. She'd say, 'Oh yes, yes, very nice, very nice. One more ornament to dust. Not much dusting done in your house anyway.' "

He then went on to say about his award: "It puts me in mind of one thing and one thing only. I bet it's not occurred to you but it's occurred to me. This could be the last monument you see before the actual gravestone."

Leading up to Christmas on Canadian Corrie screens, we'll be featuring one of the Corrie actors each day with a Christmas Q&A
Will your character be having a merry Christmas this year?
Probably not! He’s got a fair bit on his plate...but he will have a good New Year’s Eve! I’m looking forward to that...

Make a NY resolution for Aidan…
To be less angry and fiery. Perhaps he needs to carry less of his dad’s traits! Aidan’s a bit impulsive but he’s a nice guy, he means no harm.

What’s your favourite Christmas board game?
We don’t really play board games in our family, but we do make funny videos of each other and wind each other up a lot on Christmas Day!

What’s your Christmas tipple?
Anything from beer to vodka. If I want to sleep for a year then I’ll drink whiskey! You can start as early as you want on Christmas Day, it’s Christmas after all!

Turkey or otherwise?
Turkey, everything, all the trimmings!

Where’s your favourite place to spend Christmas?
Always at my mum’s house. All the family will be there - 3 brothers, 3 sisters, nieces, nephews, friends...it’s a house full!

Best Christmas tip?
Don’t overeat on Christmas Day as it leaves no room for beer and you’ll end up falling asleep! It’s important to pace yourself with the food...

Any Christmas disasters?
Yes...I imported an amazing Santa outfit - everything down to the little specs and the beard. I changed into it and came down to surprise my nieces and nephews and I had an allergic reaction to it. I ended up throwing up in front of everyone and my nephew saying “What’s wrong with Santa?” I was in bed for two days.

Best Christmas memory?
I’m going to say last Christmas, because having all the family in one place at one time is a rarity, and it actually happened! Usually there’s always someone that’s away, but last year we were all there.

Christmas Day...cheese or chocolate?Chocolate all the way.

Sprouts...devil or delicious?
Delicious, however they come.

Christmas Day...PJs or fancypants?
I don’t wear PJs...

If you could spend Christmas Day in any other country where would you spend it?
It would have to be Dublin, all of my family are over there from both my mum and dad’s side.

Favourite Christmas film?
Does anyone remember National Lampoon? I’m going to go with that one. Or maybe Home Alone.
Favourite Christmas song or carol?
I have two - me and my sister love “Fairytale of New York”, but I also like “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day”.

Monday, 28 December 2015

Did anyone see ‘The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One’
the other week? If not, then I would highly recommend streaming it from the
newly renamed ITV Hub,
where it will remain for another 6 days (unfortunately, not available in Canada).

I watched it on the train to Manchester for the Coronation
Street Blog Christmas Do. It’s a cracking rock doc and I was particularly
pleased to discover that when The Beatles weren’t busy shaking the world, the Fab
Four liked nothing more than to watch a bit of telly and, according to former
Granada Producer Johnny Hamp, Coronation Street was one of their favourite
programmes.

Hamp produced the TV special ‘The Music of Lennon and McCartney’,
which was filmed at the former Granada Studios on Quay Street, a site that we
bloggers visited earlier this week for the very last time.

The Beatles show went out in December 1965 - when Corrie was
just five years old. A lot of it can be seen on YouTube and it really is
fascinating footage. During the performance, John Lennon played the harmonium
on ‘We Can Work It Out’ (which came in at number 17 in the ITV poll).

But it wasn’t just any harmonium that Lennon used that day
at Granada. Oh no - it was the very same instrument that Ena Sharples played in
Coronation Street! Have a look at this:

Apparently, when the Granada special was being recorded, the
Corrie cast kept on sticking their heads around the door to catch a glimpse of
The Beatles. The cast could have got a lot closer to the band, though,
according to a wonderful article I stumbled across on a Beatles fansite (available here).

The story goes that there was a proposed plot which would
have seen The Beatles’ tour bus break down in Weatherfield while the band were
on their way to a gig in Manchester.

Naturally, Beatlemania would soon take over and with the
police unable to control the crowds, the band would knock on Ena's door in
search of sanctuary (and possibly a harmonium?!!). Ena would take them in and the Fab Four would file in past
her, bringing the episode to a close.

In the next episode, Ena would persuade The Beatles to
perform at the Over-Sixties club. The gig would be gate-crashed by a load of
teenagers and two generations would come together for an amazing concert, after
which The Beatles would rush off to their other show in Manchester!

The Beatles were apparently very keen to do it but weren’t
able to fit the rehearsal dates into their schedule and so the plans were
scrapped. What a shame!

I like to think, though, that in the parallel universe of
Coronation Street, The Beatles did in fact play Weatherfield in the 60s.
Perhaps that would explain the signed Beatles programme that the Peacocks found
in the attic of Number 13 a few years ago!

When I arrived at Manchester Piccadilly to catch my 7am
train back to London, everything came full circle when I saw an advert for a
new collection of The Beatles’ chart-topping hits.

It made me think about the vital contribution that Coronation
Street and The Beatles – two great institutions that emerged from 1960s Northern
England – have made to the UK’s cultural history.

And then I thought about the original Cavern Club in
Liverpool, which was knocked down. It was a decision that city leaders would
soon regret and the Cavern was later rebuilt using many of the original bricks.

I don’t want Manchester to make the same mistake by
demolishing the old Corrie set. Wouldn’t it be great if the
developers decided to keep at least some of the magic alive?

Coronation Street is in our ears and in our eyes. It is also in our hearts. There is so much
history in those cobbles and it would be a tragedy for it all to be bulldozed for
flats and shops.

Here's a reminder for the CBC Schedule changes for this week, it's going to be a marathon, folks!

Two episodes on each of: Dec. 28, 29, 30. No Coronation Street on Dec. 31.FOUR episiodes of Corrie on Jan. 1, starting at 7 p.m.
The Sunday omnibus on January 3 will be all five hours, starting at 8 a.m.

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

A shorter version of the awards this week since we didn't have any Corrie on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Hope you all had a lovely week!

Chip of the Old Block Award: Amy could see right through Nessa's attempts to impress Ken by making sweet talk to his granddaughter and is about to take full advantage. Then Amy marked Nessa's cards well and truly, with a threat about not being responsible for her actions if Nessa hurts Granddad! Wonderful!

One is the Loneliest Number award: Liz, Erica and Anna are determined to get back on the dating horse. They're happy with being single, mind you, but yes, they'd quite like a man anyway.

These Things Take Time award: Rita arrived to get her hair done as Nessa left for an errand and she and Yasmeen were both still there when Nessa returned. Does it really take that long to rebuild Rita's coif? (I'm guessing, yes, yes it does!)

Red flag to a bull award: For a man that insists on brutal honesty, Robert lying to Tracy about why he's cancelling their date is only asking for trouble.

Continuity fluff up award: What's the big deal about Ken wearing jeans? Nessa persuaded him to buy some a couple of weeks ago and he's worn them in the past. Are prison visiting times usually at night? Rob saw Tracy in the evening this week.

Lines of the week:
Rob "It's time I made them pay" (AND he's back!)
Liz "It's a full time job being me, you know!"
Sally to Billy "Was Jesus off duty when that blind man needed a miracle?"
Nessa to Roy about jeans "Are you going to treat yourself?" Roy "I take it that's a rhetorical question"
Todd to Sarah "Remember that grotty little flat we used to have?" (You mean the one just 20 feet right over there to your right?)
Leanne "Nice Tracy worries me more than Nasty Tracy does"
Roy "I've never quite understood the point where the old fashioned fairy cake became a cupcake" Yasmeen "Surely not a major linguistic issue"
Todd "The sweet smell of parental manipulation" (does Bethany *ever* go to school?)
Audrey to Anna "There's only so many recently widowed vulnerable men to go around"

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

Sunday, 27 December 2015

I'm currently reading Paul O'Grady's latest memoir, Open The Cage, Murphy and it's a cracking book. I'm a big fan of Paul and always have been. As well as his turn as the legendary Lily Savage, he fronts the wonderful For The Love Of Dogs programme from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and declares himself a lifelong Corrie fan.About half way through the book, Paul talks about his friendship with the late, great Jill Summers, famous to long-standing Street viewers as Phyllis Pearce. I've read about Jill in the past but it was touching to read about how close Paul and JIll were, how much he loved her and to hear more about the magnificent lady. They appeared together as panellists on a game show in the early 1990s and struck up a friendship formed over a few scoops in the hotel bar.Sadly most of Paul's Jill Summers stories cannot be printed as they are so outrageous! I'd love to know what they are! Jill was an absolute legend in Corrie. She was part of the show for fourteen years and kept appearing long after being beset by serious and debilitating health problems. Jill was a trouper, with a career in the entertainment business dating back many years. Fame came late in life with her part as the gravel-voiced old age pensioner, resplendent with her purple hair and lust for Percy Sugden.

While mainly a comedy character, popping up for scene stealing cameos in Jim's Cafe or in the Rovers, there was a slight sadness in Phyllis. She was a lonely old lady who spent her days making her pension last, taking jobs at the cafe or latterly as Des Barnes' housekeeper, but there was always hope in her portrayal. Phyllis brightened up the screen every time she appeared, her fruity laugh and twinkly eyes always a highlight. One of my favourite Phyllis moments was a scene with Alma in the cafe, decrying the ageing process when she looks in the mirror, "I don't know who that old woman looking back is, but it isn't me."Jill Summers started her working life in the cotton mills of Lancashire before turning her hand to hairdressing. Later, she would join ENSA and travel abroad to entertain the troops during the Second World War. Developing her variety act, Jill toured the music halls until television came calling, first of all with a small role as cleaner Bessie Proctor in Coronation Street in 1972. It would be a further ten years before she was cast as Phyllis Pearce. From what I've read, her role in Corrie and the cast she worked with meant the world to her. Although her appearances were rare by the mid 1990s, she kept coming back for more and we were always glad she did.

They don't make them like Jill Summers any more and we're worse off for it. They also don't create characters in Coronation Street like Phyllis these days. Jill was a class act and Phyllis an absolute joy. You can follow me on Twitter @GraemeN82

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

IF YOU WATCH CORONATION STREET ON CBC CANADA, THIS IS THE BLOG FOR YOU! THIS BLOG FOLLOWS THE CANADIAN TIMELINE AND WILL MAINTAIN A RELATIVELY SPOILER-FREE ZONE. THERE MAY BE OCCASIONAL SPOILERS AND YOU WILL BE WARNED. COMMENTS THAT CONTAIN SPOILERS MAY BE REMOVED.

CBC Schedule for Corrie

Corrie normally airs on CBC weeknights at 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Mondays and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (7:30 and 8:00 p.m. respectively, in Newfoundland) and the six episodes are repeated on Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. (8:30 p.m. Newfoundland) but check your local listings for the Sunday "omnibus".

Catchup Calendar for Canadian Corrie fans!

Good News! CBC is currently about one week and a bit behind the UK airdates. Please see this post